A New Kind of Love

When September Ends

When September Ends

The cold air rushed through the door and chilled my bones. My hands began shaking. "Fuck, it's cold," I whispered to myself. "Jake! Close the door," my sister yelled. I slammed it, just so she would know how much she irritated me. I sat down on the porch, my book in hand, trying to block out what I knew was going on inside. Annabelle's boyfriend, Michael Carvetti, was over. I love Italians and the culture, but this guy was a Guido through and through. Total douche might even be more appropriate. He was destined to be on a spin-off of Jersey Shore.

I opened my book, How to Make Her Yours, and started reading. It was basically a manual on how to get a girl to fall in love with you. All of my friends thought it was bullshit, the type of book a desperate nerd would buy, but there was something about it that made me want to read it. Fall was getting to it's end, and the cold was really aggressive. My teeth chattered as I thought about it. In the distance, I could hear my sister moaning in ecstasy. I wanted to puke.

As I got into the book, I noticed a huge U-Haul truck heading down our street. I noticed a week before that the house across the street from us was vacant and the for sale sign had been moved. I watched as the truck slowly crept down our street until it came to a complete stop. A Mercedes-Benz trailed behind it. I watched as the people in the Benz-a black woman and two girls I presumed to be her daughters-stepped out of the car.

The girls were arguing with each other and their mother looked just as irritated as I felt. "You're such a whiner! I can't stand you, Adalyne," the younger one said.

"Shut up, you heifer! I'm getting tired of you!"

"Both of you, hush!" Their mother walked over to them and said in a hushed tone I could barely make out, "I've had enough of this bickering! You're sisters, you should get along."

I laughed. That's what my parents say. But I can't stand my sister. And from what I know, siblings are supposed to hate each other. The woman looked over at me and I quickly looked away. I didn't think they heard me.

"Act right," she said, then turned around and walked inside the house. I looked up in time to see the younger girl turn around and look at me. I tried to look away, but I couldn't. Truth is, she wasn't that young at all. She looked to be around sixteen and she was gorgeous. She had long, wavy brown hair, and skin the color of caramel, and I suspected, as sweet as caramel, too. She smiled and turned around to walk away. Her sister, Adalyne, followed as I watched them head inside. Later that day, when Michael Carvetti had finally left, I went to my room and started my homework. As I worked on my English worksheet, I heard my father come in downstairs. He was on the phone most likely talking to his secretary.

"Elaine, I understand what Rogers said, but, quite frankly, I don't give a damn. There's no way I can fit in the Helensons to see the Ford house! I've got too much to do already! Just reiterate that I will get to them as soon as I can! Okay. Thanks, Elaine. See you tomorrow." Dad always seemed to be butting heads with his boss Mr. Rogers. Good reason. Mr. Rogers was a dickhead. As soon as Dad finished with Elaine, Mom started in on him.

"Jacob, I've asked you time and time again not to curse in the house. I've also asked time and time again that you not bring work home with you. And still you consistently disappoint me."

"Oh, Anne. Lighten up."

Uh oh. This was the beginning of an argument. I wondered if I should close my door, knowing that this conversation was not meant for my ears. But I couldn't move. I just listened, helpless and silent.

"Jacob! Don't you tell me to lighten up! You can be such an ass sometimes!"

"Well maybe, Anne, if you weren't such a self-righteous bitch I wouldn't have to be an ass!"